WOW! I sure have mixed feelings about receiving all of that information Mutt! Am glad to know the actuality of the situation and even more disturbed that Travis apparently had so grossly misrepresented this bike to me claiming it to be all "original" as it was. You probably know the story better than anyone, since I called you after I bought the bike and you were kind enough to help me troubleshoot the issues and then you rebuilt the motor.I certainly stand corrected if this is the case as my information was erroneous. Travis had assured me that this bike was original as is, before I bought it from him. That's why I paid so much for it. All I can say is, I told you the AMCA judges have to know their stuff; sounds like they were indeed correct.

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----I'd like to put in my 2¢ here. The "rubberized vinyl" seat that is supposedly a "one year only, 1954 seat" is not correct for a 1954, not is it one year only. According to the 1955 Harley Enthusisit magazine, that is touting the 55 Hummer on the cover, says that it has "the all new rubberized vinyl seat covering. Not the 54 or any earlier seat. the muffler and therefore the clamping for same is incorrect for that year model as it is correct only for 57 and later models. The regulator is also wrong (came out on the 56 models). Just these 3 items would give it a 6 point deduction, because the right seat,the right muffler and the right regulator are all still "available" It has the wrong point cover (came out on the 58 model), WAY over use of cadmium plating ( brake rod, both brake operating levers, gas tank/seat mounting ;ong bolts, one? fork boot clamp,all axle nuts,the grip end plugs are black and should be cadmium, the horn bolts are black and should be cadmium, the horn is missing the model stamping,etc) It really natters who judges yer bike as to what score you actually get. This bike, from a distance looks fine, but from a "restoration" stand point, it would have been hard-pressed to obtain even a Junior first placing.

Mutt

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----Dave Hennessey: Thanks so much for your condensed version of the AMCA judging process. I have read the AMCA standards on their website, but your eloquent condensed version of the rules (which cover several pages on the website) is very helpful. It was because I had read the judging standards that I asked my original question about Dave Schlenoff's 54ST and the "National 1st Prize Winner" description. I was also wondering in which category ("original" or "restored") the bike had been judged. Thanks also to Dave Schlenoff for providing additional information in your subsequent postings, as it did answer some specific questions about your bike. I found it especially interesting that the bike received an apparently erroneous point deduction for having an "incorrect" seat that actually was a "correct" one. I think these few postings exhibit just exactly what the Hummer Club is all about. Even though I own three Harley Lightweights, (only one of which is a True Hummer - a 56B), I still consider myself a novice. But, by visiting the Hummer Club website regularly and digesting much of the valuable information here, as well as reading the Hummer Exchange almost daily, I think I become a little less of a "novice" each day. One day, when time permits, I hope to make it to meets at Eustis, Oley, Wauseon, or even Davenport.

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----colawnguy,

"National 1st Prize Winner" is ambiguous. It doesn't tell us who awarded the bike 1st Prize, nor what that 1st prize was for (authenticity, people's choice, best-looking).

If it said "AMCA Senior First", we'd know exactly what that meant.

The AMCA judges a bike on authenticity - how close it is to when it came out of the factory. There are basically two classes - original and restored. Original bikes are given allowance for wear and tear over the years. Restored bikes are expected to be nearly perfect.

Check out the AMCA Handbook of Judging for details.http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/uploads/images/amca_images/Events/Judging%20Info/AMCA%20handbook%202010.pdf

Judging occurs at a number of AMCA National meets (not the road runs) held across the country each year. A list is available athttp://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/index.php?page=nat-l-meets-road-runs

When you get your bike judged, you receive a copy of the judging sheet showing exactly what the judges found wrong with it.

Judges are fallible humans, and no judge knows everything about all makes, models and years of motorcycles. Judges don't have reference books or laptop computers on the judging field. And we can't call Mutt on the phone to ask questions!

Judges are volunteers. At some meets, there are lots of Harley experts, but few Indian experts. And vice versa. Judging teams - usually 3 or 4 people - look at each bike using a very structured approach.

The first time you get your bike judged, you can only get a Junior award. You have to have it judged a second time before you can earn a Senior.

When you get your judging sheet at the end of the meet, don't immediately start fixing everything. Do your homework and prove to yourself that the judges are right. Judges are fallible humans! When the judge is examining your bike, it's really hard for him to remember whether the Hummer muffler clamp changed from circle to u-bolt in 1957 or 1959!

I've seen AMCA judging from both sides - I've had bikes judged, and I have been a judge. Nothing in this world is perfect, but the AMCA judging is pretty darn good.

See you at Oley?

Dave

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----I read with interest the posting (#15541)about the 54ST Golden Anniversary Model bike that "might" be for sale at Oley, PA. I am obviously a novice Hummer enthusiast, and am just now learning about AMCA judging, etc. When Travis Scott sold this bike some time ago, he apparently represented it as a "National 1st Prize Winner." I am wondering exactly what that means. Is there a National AMCA meet where the bike could be awarded this honor? Maybe Travis or some other Hummer Club member could explain this.